Man accused of molesting child in bathroom of busy Pico Rivera park

Deputies, aided by security guards and good Samaritans, jailed a Whittier man Sunday suspected of molesting a young boy inside the bathroom of a crowded Pico Rivera park, authorities said.

Eduardo Ciarelli, 38, was booked on suspicion of child molestation following the incident, which was reported about 11:30 a.m. at Smith Park, 6016 Rosemead Blvd., according to Los Angeles County sheriff’s officials and booking records.

A young boy alerted adults that a man had touched him inside a restroom, Lt. Ann Devane said.

Staff members from numerous youth sports groups using the park that day, as well as outraged parents, confronted the man, said Ahmad Childress, who was at the park Sunday watching his children play football.

“While watching my son’s flag football game at Smith Park, we noticed a scuffle near the bathrooms,” he said by email. “There was a large man surrounded by a group of event staff, (youth football) officials and some parents.”